On collaboration, not clobberation
I have been asked so many times, if I really believe that collaboration added value to this book, given that James had already published (successfully) two novels on his own. Many assumed that due to my virginity in the arena of creative publishing, it must surely have been more clobberation than a value-added experience for me.
Do I believe that collaborating with James on this novel has added value? Most certainly do, but possibly not in the way you might think. After all there is no universal law that states: two heads are better than one, being left alone to get on with the task in hand is, often, absolutely best.
Did it add value to the book itself? I have no way of knowing, because collaboratively is the way it was written.
Creativity is simply play-time for adults, but with more levels of complexity and skill being required. As young children we look forward to the bell ringing at school - and head to the playground. As children we have an instinctive, reasonably mature ability to work out quickly who we need or want to hang around with. Some of these friendships last a lifetime.
This instinct to make and keep friendship remains for most of us throughout our working lives and into retirement. Yes, of course some folk prefer their own company and solitary pursuits, but the majority of women, certainly, love the company of other women.
For me, I have always loved playing - the purest of joyful experiences, dancing, cracking jokes, being what is euphemistically referred to by snobs as 'childish behaviour'. With a dear friend, Jodie, we recently decided that we would like to pretend to be horses. So we did. And it was great fun. I still skip-walk sometimes through the streets - leaping into the air and travelling pretty fast. Now in my mid-sixties, my knees' complaints fall on deaf ears as the rush of pure joy surges through me.
Similarly, I have ardently searched for, secured and worked to maintain close friendships - other humans to play with - other men and women who love to play too.
I feel I got lucky with James. I found a bestie with whom I could play-write. If you find someone you’re able to collaborate with - who gets you, respects you, and listens to your thought processes - and - you can do the same with them, then working collaboratively definitely adds value to the outcome. Not necessarily that the finished work is any better than any other creative work produced by a sole artist. No, not that at all.
If it adds value, and it has in this instance, it's because it added enormous value to my experience of being alive. James and I now love each other as friends - very, very much. I have forged, through the process of collaboration, the creation of a lifelong friend.
The friendship that developed in the process of creating this book, is both beautiful and life-lasting. I am so grateful for it. And that is the added value, from collaboration - for me.
Louise Dunne - 07/09/25
